Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Week #4 - functional ceramics


The Art of Seeing, Making, Creating: an introduction to visual media and techniques.
Class #4

Abbi Allan
612-267-6105
March 26th, 2013:

Timing:
10:00 - Hello, see what you have been working on etc.
10:10 - Ceramics: slide show:  different building techniques
10:20 – Demonstrate different methods of making:
                  Slab
                  Coil
                  Pinch
      Make sure there are no air pockets!!!!! = Bad explosion = not cool.
      Score and slip – other wise the objects fall off.  They won’t stay connected

10:30 – Students design what they’d like to make. 
                  The focus this time is on “functional” work because this is the only work we will be able to glaze after it is fired.  Might take 2 weeks approximately.
10:40  - student work time:
                              If the student finishes early – they can complete anything left over from their paper Mache sub structure, or make ceramic sculpture.
10:50 –
11:00 –
11:10 –
11:20
11:25 – clean up, wrap up – what is happening next week
11:30 – leave

For next week always bring along:
Sketchbook

For next week - optional to bring along:
We are doing paper

Optional Post to blog (option) or add to the course sketchbook.  I will post information there and if interested the visual examples given to the students

Optional Homework:
  Outside of class:  Seeking inspiration: Find 4- 6 + images of things that interest you visually.  It can be art, objects, toys, clothing, colors etc.

  Ceramics can make anything!!!  If you so desire and want to make more things we are using:  LOW FIRE EATHENWARE CLAY:  From Continental Clay – which I love.

Any other additional things a student may make over the week must be out of this clay (*purchased on their own) – and out of any clay body listed at that link. I recommend Low Fire white: http://www.continentalclay.com/detail.php?cat_id=415&sub_categoryID=254&PID=208






































Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Class #3: negative space and paper mache


The Art of Seeing, Making, Creating: an introduction to visual media and techniques.
Class #3

Abbi Allan
612-267-6105
March 19th, 2013:

Timing:
10:00 - Hello, see what you have been working on etc.
                  SEEING THE SPACE AROUND AN OBJECT
                  Last week we saw shapes, this time we will start seeing the shapes that surround the ones we want to draw.  Using tempera paint, we are going to paint what isn’t there – not what is.
10:10 – blind contour – just one for fun
     
10:20
10:30 –   
10:40  - implying Shadow with a dry brush
10:50 –
11:00 –
11:10 – starting the paper construction for their paper Mache whales.  (*By student request, we are going to start to learn paper Mache!
11:20
11:25 – clean up, wrap up – what is happening next week
11:30 – leave

For next week always bring along:
Sketchbook

For next week - optional to bring along:
We are going to work in clay.  Cloths that can get dirty, but everything will wash out.  Student’s hands might get dry, so thinking about lotion for later in the day, I would personally recommend.  Not dire though because this winter has not been as dry.

Optional Post to blog (option) or add to the course sketchbook.  I will post information there and if interested the visual examples given to the students

Optional Homework:
  Outside of class:  Seeking inspiration: Find 4- 6 + images of things that interest you visually.  It can be art, objects, toys, clothing, colors etc.

• We are going to start making paper Mache whales. – So any work related to a whale of interest is a good idea.
           
• What would you like to make as a “functional” object out of ceramics











Wednesday, March 12, 2014

week #2 - parts and pieces to see the whole


The Art of Seeing, Making, Creating: an introduction to visual media and techniques.
Class #2

Abbi Allan
612-267-6105
March 12th, 2013:

Timing:
10:00 - Hello, see what you have been working on etc.
                 
10:10 – going back to seeing things differently – Trace a drawing upside down.  Then flip it over.  With a different set of paper, draw this same drawing, upside down again
10:20
10:30 –   testing grids
10:40
10:50 – relief sculpting via images
11:00 –
11:10
11:20
11:25 – clean up, wrap up – what is happening next week
11:30 – leave

For next week always bring along:
Sketchbook

For next week - optional to bring along:
Brushes and paint  - A smock if you are worried about getting dirty.   
I am also looking at changing the schedule to add more sculpture by request from the students.

Optional Post to blog (option) or add to the course sketchbook.  I will post information there and if interested the visual examples given to the students

Optional Homework:
  Outside of class:  Seeking inspiration: Find 4- 6 + images of things that interest you visually.  It can be art, objects, toys, clothing, colors etc.

• Keep trying to draw upside down, with a  grid, tracing, combining objects…
           
  Bring in images that you want to work from and objects with a lot of negative space to paint from if wanted.






slide show related to the new techniques:








 

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

How to make Abbi's portfolio - what we are doing today - and optional homework for the week

The Art of Seeing, Making, Creating: an introduction to visual media and techniques.
Abbi Allan
612-267-6105
March 5th, 2013:

Timing:
10:00 - Hello,
      What would you like to learn? 
10:10 – 1st work in class.  From the images and selection of materials, make your initial drawing.  How did it feel?  Work for just 20 minutes.  Do not expect it to be amazing, just a starting point.
10:20
10:30 – How does the brain works.
10:40
10:50 – brain exercises: shutting down the left-brain to awaken the right
11:00 – start making a portfolio

11:10
11:20
11:25 – clean up, wrap up – what is happening next week
11:30 – leave

For next week always bring along:
Sketchbook
Your portfolio

For next week - optional to bring along:
  Grid drawing - bring a line drawing you might like to reproduce
  If you have drawing utensils you like best, bring those.
  An image of something you would like to relief sculpt.

Optional Post to blog (option) or add to the course sketchbook.  I will post information there and if interested the visual examples given to the students

Optional Homework:
  Outside of class:  Seeking inspiration - Find 6 + images of things that interest you visually.  It can be art, objects, toys, clothing, colors etc.

  In class, you were put on the spot, and with only a few objects to work from.  Outside of class find time to draw, sculpt, paint, chalk, snow sculpture…. something.  What do you make when no one is telling you what to do? Spend at least an hour on something.  Work at whatever level you are at –because this is about your personal development not comparing it to anyone else’s.  Art   Make something you enjoy, from the subject matter you enjoy.  Bring this to class next week so we can all learn a little more about you and what do you like?
           
  If you don’t have one yet – get a sketchbook for your work and gathering images of interest.


6 items of interest:







Talk given today